March 28th

2 Samuel 1-3

1:11-16 – It seems very harsh to us that David kills the young Amalekite who, seemingly, was merciful to a dying Saul. David had deep regard for Saul as the anointed one of God and did not see it as the Amalekite’s job to kill him.

2:1 – David was faithful in seeking God’s guidance before he would make moves.

2:4 – David is now officially king over Judah. He needed for Saul and his sons to die and to be anointed. Now both have happened.

2:4-7 – The men of Jabesh-gilead were the ones who took Saul’s body back from the Philistines after the Philistines tortured and dishonored it. David greatly appreciated this because it was honoring to God’s anointed, Saul.

2:8-11 – One son of Saul was still alive, Ish-bosheth. A portion of the Israelites follow Ish-bosheth as their king, but the majority follow David.

2:12-28 – Though Judah and Israel would split into two nations after Solomon’s reign, they are technically still united during this story. Abner is simply loyal to Saul’s line and is trying to keep them in power, this is why David’s men are fighting against Abner’s.

3:2-5 – David had a lot of wives. That’s a bad thing. The Bible never explicitly forbids polygamy- but it does define marriage as monogamous in Genesis and in the New Testament. Furthermore, polygamous marriages never works out well in the Bible. David’s polygamy will result in a civil war when two of his sons fight for the throne after he dies.

3:7-11 – Because of Ish-bosheth’s accusation, Abner abruptly switches allegiances and promises his efforts and loyalty to guaranteeing David’s reign.

3:20-30 – David believed Abner’s new-found loyalty to him, but Joab, one of David’s military leaders still had a score to settle with him. Abner felt that he was safe in David’s good graces, but Joab kills him. David washes his hands of any responsibility.